The new government should plan for technology diplomacy

Artificial Intelligence Association of Iran has officially started its activities since May this year with the aim of promoting and developing artificial intelligence technology in the country. By identifying internal capacities and responding to various needs, this association plays an important role in the growth of digital economy and artificial intelligence technology.

From the idea to the implementation of the Artificial Intelligence and Digital Economy Association of Iran

Davoud Masoudi said about the purpose and method of establishment of the association: “Artificial Intelligence Association of Iran was established by a group of activists in the field of artificial intelligence and related industries. The initial idea of ​​forming the association was proposed last fall and after legal procedures, it was registered in January. Our main goal is to promote and develop artificial intelligence technology in the country, and for this purpose, we officially started our activities from May this year.”

About the main goals and activities of the association, he added: “One of the main goals of the association is to identify existing capacities in the field of artificial intelligence. These capacities include students, professors, university graduates, companies active in the field of digital and artificial intelligence, and real people.

After identifying the existing capacities in the field of artificial intelligence, there is a need for solutions to attract these people. The general secretary of the association explained about the association’s interaction with universities and companies: “We have published public calls in universities and companies in order to attract interested people and companies. The association defines projects in different fields and we carry out these projects with the people who are attracted. “One of our important tasks is to facilitate communication between organizations and AI experts so that we can identify and respond to different needs.”

The association is connected with various institutions to carry out its activities. Masoudi said in this regard: “We identify the needs of the country in various fields and we are in contact with various institutions such as the government, the parliament and the judiciary so that we can respond to these needs in the best way.”

He said about the ways of providing financial resources for this collection: “The association generates income through the membership of companies and real people. Membership in the forum is 5 million tomans for companies and 1 million tomans for individuals. We also provide our financial resources by holding training courses and various projects.

Insurance and tax laws are not suitable for new technology

In the following, Dawood Masoudi explained about the activity of the association in the field of education and culture in various ways. He stated: “We are also active in the field of culture and education. We organize short-term and long-term training courses for managers and experts of the public and private sectors so that they can learn about the applications of artificial intelligence in their industry and organization. We also help universities to hold courses and specialized courses in artificial intelligence and train students with modern technologies.”

One of the main challenges of the association revolves around financial and insurance issues. Masoudi said: “One of our most important challenges is tax and insurance issues that are written with traditional laws and are not suitable for new technologies. By identifying these problems and trying to solve them, we help companies and people active in this field.”

Technology diplomacy is the priority of the new government

Masoudi pointed out an important point about the relationship between power and having a share in artificial intelligence technology and said: “I believe that in the past they said that the country that has the oil in its hands has the power in its hands, but from now on everyone will have the artificial intelligence technology. He will have the power. “This technology cannot be compared to other technologies because it truly transforms lives and businesses.”

He continued: “If we want to have a place in the global future, we need to be strong in the field of artificial intelligence technology and not just become consumers. I predict that in the next three or four years, artificial intelligence will become a topic similar to nuclear energy. After a number of countries have reached their goals, they will define protocols to limit the access of other countries to this technology. He said: “My prediction is that we will reach a point where a number of countries will set up a treaty or set up an organization to which other countries must be subject to its rules. But now the space is open to access this technology and we have to keep ourselves at the first level. “Technology diplomacy” is something that I believe the new government should take into consideration and think of measures for in its new programs and make it a top priority.

Iran’s weakness in using capacities

He further added: “The association’s effort is to make Iran one of the leading countries in the field of artificial intelligence and to take advantage of the human and technical capacities of the country to provide services and products to other countries.”

The secretary of the Artificial Intelligence Association also said about the future plans of this organization: “Iran ranks high in the world in the field of education and university graduates, but it is weak in using these forces and new technologies.” We are trying to improve Iran’s position in the region and the world and use the available capacities to provide services and products to other countries. With Iran’s membership in organizations such as Shanghai, we hope to be able to shorten the time to achieve our goals.”

In response to the question whether the association has a role in exhibition and international activities, Dawood Masoudi said: “We also play an active role in holding various exhibitions.” For example, an exhibition will be held in September in Kish Azad Zone with the presence of different countries, and we play an important role in its planning and implementation. These exhibitions are a good opportunity to introduce domestic capacities and attract foreign visitors, especially from Arab countries, who can be attracted to the Iranian market by creating concessions such as customs concessions for them.

The difference between the Artificial Intelligence and Digital Economy Association of Iran and the National Organization of Artificial Intelligence

After the reopening of the National Artificial Intelligence Organization, one of the things that arise in people’s minds is the difference between the Artificial Intelligence Association and the National Artificial Intelligence Organization. Masoudi explained about this: “Artificial Intelligence Association is a private organization that is responsible for identifying capacities and providing specialized training. On the other hand, the National Organization of Artificial Intelligence is a government organization that is responsible for policymaking and coordination at different government levels and manages the overall management of artificial intelligence in the country.

Finally, the artificial intelligence trade association in Iran has been established with the aim of promoting and developing artificial intelligence technology in the country, and by identifying internal capacities and responding to the diverse needs of the country, it contributes to the growth of the digital economy and artificial intelligence technology. This association aims to improve Iran’s position in the field of artificial intelligence by holding training courses, various projects, and interacting with government and private institutions.